Treatment of native valve endocarditis due to coagulase negative staphylococci, complicated by a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome)

Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a rare cause of native valve endocarditis (NVE). However, they are emerging as important pathogens of NVE.  We  describe  a  61  year  old  male  who  developed  NVE  caused by CoNS and presented  with  cerebral  embolic  phenomena.  He was treated with vancomycin and subsequently with linezolid. He developed a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome) to linezolid which was managed successfully.  The patient’s recovery was good after six weeks of treatment with anti-staphylococcal antibiotics.